Veteran Z-Bo makes rookie mistake in win over Knicks

Veteran Z-Bo makes rookie mistake in win over Knicks

The Kings Insider Podcast

SACRAMENTO -- Skal Labissiere hit a 28-foot 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining to give Sacramento a lead and send the Golden 1 Center crowd into a frenzy. And then something strange happened.

Following the shot, official Kane Fitzgerald called a technical foul on 17-year NBA veteran Zach Randolph for running on the floor in celebration. The replay clearly shows Randolph entering from out of bounds to greet Labissiere after the triple.

“I just saw Z-Bo running on the court,” Labissiere said with a laugh following the game. “I appreciate that. I told him he’s too old to be doing stuff like that. He’s been in the league too long. You know, it’s all love. That’s a brother of mine, so I appreciate that.”

With the Kings leading by just three points, Courtney Lee stepped to the line for the Knicks and bricked the free throw. On the ensuing play, New York was forced to inbounds the ball from the far end of the court.

Trey Burke missed a 49-footer at the buzzer that could have tied the game and the Kings escaped with the 102-99 victory.

Randolph sat out the game as a healthy scratch, but he was present and in uniform to cheer on his teammates. Hopefully that’s the last time the 36-year-old big makes a rookie mistake.

The Kings Insider Podcast

SACRAMENTO -- At 18-40, the Sacramento Kings have lost games in almost every fashion imaginable. Thursday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder felt similar to many of the team's losses - fall behind early, claw back in, stumble down the stretch. But this one had a new twist.

OKC led by 23 after the first quarter, but the Kings fought back. After cutting the Thunder lead to seven at the half, Sacramento hit the Thunder with a 18-0 run in the late third quarter and early fourth and took a five-point lead with 10:01 remaining.

It looked like a heavyweight fight down the stretch with both teams hitting the each other with body blows. With the Thunder up two, Vince Carter hoisted a 3-point attempt with eight seconds remaining.

The shot came off the iron to Garrett Temple, who bricked. Rookie Justin Jackson flew in for a rebound and knocked down a six-footer on the run to tie the game at 107-107 with one second remaining on the clock.

Golden 1 Center went crazy. Overtime appeared imminent.

But one second is enough time to catch and shoot a ball in the NBA. That’s all it took for Russell Westbrook to rip the heart out of thousands of Kings fans.

With Carmelo Anthony manning the inbounds pass, the Thunder ran a double screen to free Westbrook. The reigning MVP caught the ball just to the right of center on the top of the key and drilled a 29-footer.

Game over.

“Russell made a great shot,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said after the game. “I just tried to get either him or Paul [George] some space on the play and he actually caught it funny at first from Carmelo. It looked like he rushed it trying to beat the clock.”

The shot came off Westbrook’s hand flat and looked like it might tear through the back of the net. After a very quick review by the officiating crew, the basket was deemed good.

Following the game, the Kings took the loss hard, as expected. Plenty of players had already cleared out of the locker room before media arrived, but a few stuck around to answer questions, including 17-year veteran, Zach Randolph.

“It’s really tough,” Randolph said following the 110-107 loss. “It was good D, better O. You know, give them credit. We fought. We’ve got to come out like that to start the game. It was a good game.”

Randolph led all scorers with 29 points and added 12 rebounds for Sacramento. He kept the Kings afloat until the rest of the team awoke from an early game slumber.

Sacramento received quality efforts from plenty of players, including Buddy Hield, who finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.

In the end, the Thunder and their fleet of All-Stars won out. They hit the big shot when they needed it.

Give Sacramento credit. They shook off a miserable start, took a late lead against a playoff team and lost on a buzzer beater.

Gameday: Memphis homecoming for plenty of Kings

Gameday: Memphis homecoming for plenty of Kings

Want to get away? After dropping six straight games, the Sacramento Kings hit the road for a season long six-game trip beginning Friday in Memphis.

It’s a homecoming game for plenty of Kings coaches and players, including Zach Randolph, who is playing in front of a Memphis crowd wearing an opposing jersey for the first time in eight years. Dave Joerger and most of his staff came over from the Grizzlies in the summer of 2016 and Vince Carter and Kosta Koufos spent time in Memphis as well.

Memphis has had a rough season, but two-time former King, Tyreke Evans, has made a tremendous impact in his first season with the team. He’s posting big numbers and looks as healthy as he’s been in years.

BETTING LINE

Grizzlies by 5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Willie Cauley-Stein vs. Marc Gasol -- Cauley-Stein is blossoming in his third NBA season. He’s become a reliable scoring and rebounding option for the Kings. He’s improved on the defensive end as well, but guard Gasol is as tough as it gets. The 7-foot-1 Spaniard has an old school game. He can pass, hit you from the outside and work you over in the post. Cauley-Stein will have his hands full with the three-time All-Star big.

Homecoming -- This should be an emotional night for plenty around the Kings team, especially Randolph. The Grizzlies retired the 36-year-old’s No. 50 jersey, making him the first in franchise history to receive the honor.

Show Improvement -- The Kings are in a funk, but we are seeing steady improvement from plenty of the team’s young players. Bogdan Bogdanovic continues to post up big numbers, including a career-best 25 against the Jazz on Wednesday.

Break the Streak -- A six-game trip is daunting, especially after a rough stretch. If Sacramento can get out of Memphis with a win, it would take plenty of stress off a young team.

SERIES HISTORY

These two teams split their season series 2-2 last season, but Memphis went up 1-0 for the 2017-18 campaign with a win at Golden 1 on New Year’s Eve. The Kings hold a 45-39 advantage over the Grizzlies all-time.